US5892653A - Multi-tap distribution box - Google Patents

Multi-tap distribution box Download PDF

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Publication number
US5892653A
US5892653A US08/793,409 US79340997A US5892653A US 5892653 A US5892653 A US 5892653A US 79340997 A US79340997 A US 79340997A US 5892653 A US5892653 A US 5892653A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
terminals
mother board
branch unit
tap
distribution box
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/793,409
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English (en)
Inventor
Hiroyuki Nishimuta
Hiroyuki Mizutani
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Maspro Denkoh Corp
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Maspro Denkoh Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to MASPRO DENKOH COMPANY, LTD. reassignment MASPRO DENKOH COMPANY, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MIZUTANI, HIROYUKI, NISHIMUTA, HIROYUKI
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5892653A publication Critical patent/US5892653A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03H—IMPEDANCE NETWORKS, e.g. RESONANT CIRCUITS; RESONATORS
    • H03H7/00—Multiple-port networks comprising only passive electrical elements as network components
    • H03H7/48—Networks for connecting several sources or loads, working on the same frequency or frequency band, to a common load or source

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-tap distribution box. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-tap distribution box which is suitable for use with CATV (community antenna television system) cables.
  • CATV communicate antenna television system
  • CATV cables are laid underground or aerially strung on telephone poles.
  • the number of secondary cables branching out from a multi-tap distribution box varies depending on the number of subscribers to be connected to.
  • a typical aerial multi-tap distribution box generally has an input A and an output terminal B on the opposite end surfaces.
  • a typical pedestal multi-tap distribution box the type for used with cables laid underground, has both input and output terminals A and B on the same surface.
  • Many different models with different numbers of taps to which secondary cables are connected are manufactured to suit particular applications.
  • CATV cables that are already laid or aerially hung may require various changes and adjustments in the future: the direction of the signal transmission may be reversed, aerial cables may need to be laid underground, or underground cables may be hung on poles.
  • the existing cables need to be reconnected in different locations, so that the multi-tap distribution box often needs to be replaced with a new one.
  • cable reconnection often involves a change in the number of the secondary branch cables.
  • a multi-tap distribution box which enables the reversal of the transmission direction and which is reconnectable from aerial cables to underground cables, or vice versa.
  • the multi-tap distribution box is constructed by:
  • a housing having one cable connecting member on one end thereof and two cable connecting members on the other end;
  • the housing further having equally spaced pairs of main line terminals arranged on the center portion thereon, each of the main line terminals being electrically connected to a different cable connecting member;
  • a mother board having thereon transmission terminals spaced from each other so as to correspond to the distance between a pair of main line terminals, the transmission terminals being connected to each other by a current transmission circuit;
  • the mother board having further thereon two relay terminals each of which is connected to one of the transmission terminals so that high-frequency signals are transmittable between each pair of a relay terminal and a transmission terminal, the mother board being detachably mounted on the housing so as to connect the transmission terminals of the mother board to a select pair of main line terminals on the housing;
  • branch unit having a branch circuit, a pair of connection terminals, and a branch terminal, the branch unit being detachably mounted on the mother board for connecting the connection terminals to the relay terminals of the mother board;
  • a tap board with a distributing circuit and an input terminal the tap board being mounted on a main body;
  • the input terminal of the tap board adapted for connection to the branch terminal of the branch unit.
  • the high-frequency signals mentioned above includes television signals, various control signals, and telephone signal-like modulating signal used for communication.
  • the number of the main line terminals arranged on the housing may be three with two of the terminals located above, and on the right and left sides of the center of, the housing and the remaining terminal vertically aligned with one of the two terminals.
  • the branch unit has claws or guide lugs on both ends thereof so that the branch unit can be detachably mounted on the mother board by engaging the claws with holes formed in the mother board or inserting the guide lugs into the holes.
  • the mother board further includes a switch which operates in response to the mounting and detachment of the branch unit in order to short-circuiting the relay terminals when the branch unit is detached from the mother board.
  • the input and output cable terminals can be easily repositioned by connecting the transmission terminals on the mother board to the main line terminals corresponding to a desired pair of cable connecting members.
  • the branch unit is provided with claws or guide lugs on both ends thereof and the mother board has matching holes formed therein, the branch unit can be detachably mounted on the mother board with one-touch operation. This structure allows the direction of the signals transmitted on the main line to be reversed simply by rotating the branch unit 180 degrees and mounting it back on the mother board.
  • the switch operates in response to the detachment so as to short-circuit the relay terminals. Therefore, the high-frequency signal transmission is not interrupted during replacement of the branch unit.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-tap distribution box of an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows plan views of the components of the multi-tap distribution box
  • FIG. 3 shows circuit diagrams of the components of the multi-tap distribution box
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show different pairs of input and output terminals
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B show prior art multi-tap distribution boxes in use.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a box-shaped housing with one side open.
  • the housing 1 is provided with a single cable connecting member 2 on one end surface and two other cable connecting members 3 and 4 on the opposite end surface.
  • Each of the cable connecting members 2, 3, and 4 is provided with a pair of cable insertion holes (2a, 2b; 3a, 3b; and 4a, 4b, respectively) in both sides of the corner adjacent to the cable connecting member.
  • the housing 1 includes an attachment portion 5 on which three main line terminals 5a, 5b, and 5c are provided.
  • the upper terminals 5a and 5b are located above, and on the right and left sides of, the center P of the housing 1 while the terminal 5c is located directly under the right terminal 5b.
  • the terminals 5a, 5b, and 5c are connected to the respective cable connecting members 2, 3, and 4 via transmission cables each comprising a central conductor inserted through a coaxial metal cylinder.
  • each of these transmission cables has a layer of air between the outer and inner conductors. This structure minimizes the diameter of the coaxial metal cylinder, providing the advantage of causing only a small transmission loss.
  • reference numeral 6 is a mother board with a pair of transmission terminals 7 on its rear face and a pair of relay terminals 8 on its front face.
  • the transmission terminals 7 are spaced so as to correspond with the main line terminals 5a and 5b (or 5b and 5c).
  • Each of the transmission terminals 7 is connected to a relay terminal 8 via a high-frequency passing circuit 9 which includes a capacitor 9a.
  • the circuit 9 allows high-frequency signals to pass therethrough.
  • the two transmission terminals 7 are connected to each other by a current transmission circuit 10 which includes a coil 10a.
  • the housing 1 has a plurality of guide pins 11 formed thereon while the mother board 6 has a plurality of guide holes 12 formed therein corresponding to the guide pins 11.
  • the mother board 6 is mounted on the housing 1 by inserting the guide pins 11 into the guide holes 12. In this way, the transmission terminals 7 are easily aligned and brought into contact with, for example, the main line terminals 5a and 5b, which are not visible behind the mother board 6 during mounting. Then, the mother board 6 is secured to the housing 1 with a pair of screws 13. Also, the mother board 6 has a pair of engaging slits 14 formed therein outside the relay terminals 8.
  • Reference numeral 15 designates a box-shaped branch unit having on one surface a pair of connection terminals 16 and 16' which correspond to the relay terminals 8 of the mother board 6 and having on the opposite surface a branch terminal 17.
  • the connection terminals 16 and 16' and the branch terminal 17 are connected to a built-in branch circuit.
  • the branch unit 15 can direct high-frequency signals. It also has on both ends thereof two engaging claws 18 projected toward the surface where the connection terminals 16 and 16' are located.
  • the engaging claws formed on the branch unit may be replaced with guide lugs which are inserted into the slits formed in the mother board.
  • screws or clips may be employed as the means of mounting the branch unit on the mother board.
  • the mother board 6 is provided with a push switch 19.
  • the branch unit 15 When the branch unit 15 is mounted on the board mother 6, the outer surface of the branch unit 15 presses against and turns off the switch 19.
  • the push switch 19 When the branch unit 15 is detached from the board mother 6, the push switch 19 is released from the pressure of the unit 15 and turned on, thus short-circuiting the relay terminals 8 and allowing passage of high-frequency signals between the transmission terminals 7.
  • the current transmission circuit 10 of the mother board 6 ensures that power currents and high-frequency signals flow between the transmission terminals 7 whether or not the branch unit 15 is mounted on the mother board 6.
  • Reference numeral 20 is a tap board mounted on the inner surface of a main body 21.
  • the tap board 20 includes a distributing circuit and a plurality of external taps 22 exposed on the outer surface of the main body 1.
  • the tap board 20 also has on its inner surface an input terminal 23 corresponding to the branch terminal 17 of the branch unit 15. The branch terminal 17 comes into contact with the input terminal 23 when the housing 1 and the main body 21 are assembled.
  • a pair of contacts 24 and 25 are provided on the housing 1 and the main body 21, respectively, for allowing power currents to flow to the branch unit 15.
  • the multi-tap distribution box of this embodiment can be used as an aerial type device if the branch unit 15 is mounted on the mother board 6 with the terminal 16 on the same side as the cable connecting member 2 and the terminal 16' on the same side as the cable connecting member 3 as shown in FIG. 4A.
  • the positions of the input and output terminals can be easily reversed by detaching and horizontally rotating the branch unit 180 degrees and mounting it back on the mother board 6 (see FIG. 4B).
  • the mother board 6 is detached and rotated 90 degrees in clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4C, so that the connection terminals 16 and 16' are connected with the main line terminals 5b and 5c via the relay terminals 7.
  • the cable connecting member 3 serves as the input terminal and the cable connecting member 4 as the output terminal.
  • the positions of the input and output terminals can be easily reversed as in the aerial type application: by detaching and rotating the branch unit 15 hundred and eighty degrees and mounting it back on the mother board 6 (this position is not shown).
  • the main body 21, the tap board 20, and the branch unit 15 are replaced with a different main body with a tap board having a desired number of taps and a different branch unit.
  • the branch unit 15 can be easily detached by disengaging the claws 18 from the slits 14.
  • the switch 19 is turned on, thus short-circuiting the transmission terminals 7 and allowing high-frequency signal transmission between the cable connecting members. Accordingly, the high-frequency signal transmission remains uninterrupted while the branch unit 15 is replaced.
  • different cable connecting members can be selected for use by rotating the mother board 90 degrees.
  • the number of taps can be increased or decreased by replacing the branch unit and the main body.
  • this construction improve the operability of the multi-tap distribution box, but it also allows the multi-tap distribution box to be used as an aerial or pedestal type.
  • the multi-tap distribution box offers the advantage of maintaining the check function from a remote site even when the branch unit or the main body is removed since the transmission of the currents and the high-frequency signals from the input side to the output side remains uninterrupted.
  • each cable connecting member is provided with a pair of cable insertion holes in its respective corner, cables can be more freely connected, that is, from two different directions.
  • coaxial cables inserted into cable insertion holes are connected to the cable connecting members with screws.
  • connectors may be provided in the multi-tap distribution box to couple cables.
  • Each cable connecting member may be provided with only one cable insertion hole or connector instead of two. Furthermore, the number of taps may be either increased or decreased; the main body may have any number of taps.
  • the embodiment includes three main line terminals on the inner surface of the housing. Two of the terminals are located above and on both sides of the center of the housing while the third terminal is located directly under one of the upper terminals. Accordingly, the pair of main line terminals of the mother board to be connected with the transmission terminals can be selected by rotating the mother board. Instead of this construction, equally spaced pairs of main line terminals may be arranged on the housing so that the transmission terminals are connected to any desired pair of main line terminals by shifting the mother board.
  • This concept of using different terminals as the input and output terminals by changing the mounting position of the mother board is applicable to other types of high-frequency signal devices and processors than multi-tap distribution boxes.
  • the positions of the input and output terminals, the number of the taps, and the transmission direction can be easily changed.
  • the input and output terminals can be easily repositioned by rotating the mother board and the branch unit. Further, if the branch unit is provided with either claws or guide lugs for engaging or inserted into slits formed in the mother board, the branch unit can be mounted or detached with one-touch operation.
  • the mother board is also provided with a switch which short-circuits the relay terminals when the branch unit is detached. This switch operation maintains the transmission of the high-frequency signals between the cable connecting members while the branch unit is repositioned or replaced with a different one.

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  • Details Of Television Systems (AREA)
US08/793,409 1995-06-23 1996-06-24 Multi-tap distribution box Expired - Fee Related US5892653A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP07158116A JP3076960B2 (ja) 1995-06-23 1995-06-23 分岐器
JP7-158116 1995-06-23
PCT/JP1996/001735 WO1997001220A1 (fr) 1995-06-23 1996-06-24 Dispositif de derivation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5892653A true US5892653A (en) 1999-04-06

Family

ID=15664657

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/793,409 Expired - Fee Related US5892653A (en) 1995-06-23 1996-06-24 Multi-tap distribution box

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5892653A (de)
EP (1) EP0778665B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3076960B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69627789T2 (de)
WO (1) WO1997001220A1 (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6072981A (en) * 1995-09-30 2000-06-06 Maspro Denkoh Company, Ltd. Multi-tap distribution apparatus
US6133939A (en) * 1999-01-11 2000-10-17 Motorola, Inc. CATV directional component with signal reversing capability and method
US6166330A (en) * 1995-11-23 2000-12-26 Gemplus S.C.A. Housing for an extended-format releasable plug-in card
US6560778B1 (en) * 1999-03-29 2003-05-06 Masprodenkoh Kabushikikaisha Tap device of cable broadcasting system
US6570465B2 (en) 2000-12-01 2003-05-27 Danny Q. Tang Multi-tap kit for cable television systems
US20050016748A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-01-27 Ritter Bryan D. Security apparatus and method
US20050199410A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-15 Voon Sze-Moey Housing having a cable conduit and related systems and methods
US20080107016A1 (en) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-08 Tang Neil H High-frequency uninterruptible signal and power bypass
US20110095840A1 (en) * 2009-10-26 2011-04-28 Olga Degtyarev Catv face plate device and method with extended frequency range
US11233366B2 (en) * 2020-03-04 2022-01-25 Holland Electronics, Llc Uninterruptable tap

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6175483B1 (en) 1998-01-07 2001-01-16 Maspro Denkoh Company, Ltd. Multi-tap distribution apparatus

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3617811A (en) * 1970-07-22 1971-11-02 Coaxial Scient Corp Cable television tapoff unit
JPS5073512A (de) * 1973-10-31 1975-06-17
JPS5073511A (de) * 1973-10-31 1975-06-17
US3895318A (en) * 1974-05-20 1975-07-15 Joseph I Ross Catv multi-tap distribution box with switch
JPS5338568A (en) * 1976-09-21 1978-04-08 Ueda Tekko Kk Process for producing frains
JPS5738865A (en) * 1980-08-21 1982-03-03 Fujitsu Ltd Film-forming resin composition
JPS616691A (ja) * 1984-06-20 1986-01-13 松下電器産業株式会社 楽音発生システム
US4578702A (en) * 1984-05-31 1986-03-25 American Television & Communications Corporation CATV tap-off unit with detachable directional coupler
US5648765A (en) * 1995-03-08 1997-07-15 Cresap; Michael S. Tag tansponder system and method to identify items for purposes such as locating, identifying, counting, inventorying, or the like
US5675300A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-10-07 J.E. Thomas Specialties Limited Top exit coupler

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5844612Y2 (ja) * 1979-05-14 1983-10-08 マスプロ電工株式会社 共同受信機器用ケ−ス
JPS58135166U (ja) * 1982-03-08 1983-09-10 宇呂電子工業株式会社 分岐分配器用ケ−ス

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3617811A (en) * 1970-07-22 1971-11-02 Coaxial Scient Corp Cable television tapoff unit
JPS5073512A (de) * 1973-10-31 1975-06-17
JPS5073511A (de) * 1973-10-31 1975-06-17
US3895318A (en) * 1974-05-20 1975-07-15 Joseph I Ross Catv multi-tap distribution box with switch
JPS5338568A (en) * 1976-09-21 1978-04-08 Ueda Tekko Kk Process for producing frains
JPS5738865A (en) * 1980-08-21 1982-03-03 Fujitsu Ltd Film-forming resin composition
US4578702A (en) * 1984-05-31 1986-03-25 American Television & Communications Corporation CATV tap-off unit with detachable directional coupler
JPS616691A (ja) * 1984-06-20 1986-01-13 松下電器産業株式会社 楽音発生システム
US5648765A (en) * 1995-03-08 1997-07-15 Cresap; Michael S. Tag tansponder system and method to identify items for purposes such as locating, identifying, counting, inventorying, or the like
US5675300A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-10-07 J.E. Thomas Specialties Limited Top exit coupler

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6072981A (en) * 1995-09-30 2000-06-06 Maspro Denkoh Company, Ltd. Multi-tap distribution apparatus
US6166330A (en) * 1995-11-23 2000-12-26 Gemplus S.C.A. Housing for an extended-format releasable plug-in card
US7086078B1 (en) 1999-01-11 2006-08-01 General Instrument Corporation CATV directional component with signal reversing capability and method
US6133939A (en) * 1999-01-11 2000-10-17 Motorola, Inc. CATV directional component with signal reversing capability and method
US6560778B1 (en) * 1999-03-29 2003-05-06 Masprodenkoh Kabushikikaisha Tap device of cable broadcasting system
US6570465B2 (en) 2000-12-01 2003-05-27 Danny Q. Tang Multi-tap kit for cable television systems
US20050016748A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-01-27 Ritter Bryan D. Security apparatus and method
US6979775B2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-12-27 Ritter Bryan D Security apparatus and method
US20050199410A1 (en) * 2004-03-12 2005-09-15 Voon Sze-Moey Housing having a cable conduit and related systems and methods
US7430124B2 (en) * 2004-03-12 2008-09-30 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Housing having a cable conduit and related systems and methods
US20080107016A1 (en) * 2006-11-03 2008-05-08 Tang Neil H High-frequency uninterruptible signal and power bypass
US7807935B2 (en) * 2006-11-03 2010-10-05 Antronix, Inc. High-frequency uninterruptible signal and power bypass
US20110095840A1 (en) * 2009-10-26 2011-04-28 Olga Degtyarev Catv face plate device and method with extended frequency range
US8912863B2 (en) * 2009-10-26 2014-12-16 Xtend Networks Ltd. CATV face plate device and method with extended frequency range
US11233366B2 (en) * 2020-03-04 2022-01-25 Holland Electronics, Llc Uninterruptable tap

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0778665A1 (de) 1997-06-11
EP0778665B1 (de) 2003-05-02
EP0778665A4 (de) 1999-12-29
WO1997001220A1 (fr) 1997-01-09
DE69627789T2 (de) 2004-02-26
JPH098585A (ja) 1997-01-10
DE69627789D1 (de) 2003-06-05
JP3076960B2 (ja) 2000-08-14

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AS Assignment

Owner name: MASPRO DENKOH COMPANY, LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NISHIMUTA, HIROYUKI;MIZUTANI, HIROYUKI;REEL/FRAME:008536/0636

Effective date: 19970326

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Year of fee payment: 4

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STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

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Effective date: 20070406